In this Section

Languages

Subject:

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

Contact:

Mrs Skeoch-Londoño

Overview

Modern Foreign Languages at Queen’s Park High School offers an exciting and complimentary combination of modern languages.

From Key Stage 3, students are introduced to French for Year 7 and Year 8. In Year 9, students are then introduced to Spanish and by the end of the year choose which of the two languages will be carried on to study in more depth for GCSE. German is also offered at GCSE level, where students are taught in a mixed ability group. Languages at Queen’s Park High School are taught in an interactive and communicative manner with students being encouraged to be independent and analytical thinkers.

KS3

Overview

Students are taught in mixed ability classes in years seven, eight and nine. Every year, all groups study translation, dictation, speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through a series of topics relevant to real life. By the end of Key Stage 3, students will be prepared with basic linguistic skills to move on to GCSE.

Curriculum content: French

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 7

Introducing yourself

Describing where your town is

Describing daily routine

Telling the time

Going on holiday through the present tense

Leisure and free time

Year 8

Countries and nationalities

Describing where you live

Describing daily routine with reflexive verbs

Going on holiday through the past tense

Year 9

Describing members of the family

The past tense

Describing common illnesses and asking for advice

Ordering and describing food

Curriculum Content: Spanish

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 9

Making introductions

Describing countries and nationalities around the world

Describing the family

Describing where I live

Age related milestones

KS4

Overview

We follow the AQA GCSE syllabus for both French and Spanish. Both are linear courses, examined at the end of year 11. The Department prepares students for these final exams with regular exam practice and opportunities to develop key language skills, such as translation and dictation with accurate use of grammar and a wide range of application of vocabulary.

Exam board and course

AQA French

AQA Spanish

Curriculum Content

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 10

My life and home

Healthy Living

Leisure and Tourism

Identity and Culture

School

Future Aspirations

Year 11

The environment

Identity and Culture

Holiday and Travel

Assessment components

Spanish and French

Paper 1: Listening

Paper 2: Speaking – Oral examination

Paper 3: Writing

What's assessed

Written exam: 35 minutes (Foundation Tier), 45 minutes (Higher Tier)

40 marks (Foundation Tier), 50 marks (Higher Tier)

25% of GCSE

What’s assessed

Non-exam assessment

7–9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time

10–12 minutes (Higher Tier) + preparation time

60 marks (for each of Foundation Tier and Higher Tier)

25% of GCSE

What's assessed

Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes, using s variety of vocabulary and grammar for specific contexts and registers.

Assessed

• Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language of a range of vocabulary from numerous topics

Recognition of range of grammar points

Assessed

• Foundation Tier and Higher Tier

The format is the same at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, but with different stimulus questions for the Photo card and different stimulus materials for the Role-play. The timings are different too: Role-play – 15 marks (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 2 minutes at Higher Tier)

Enrichment opportunities:

Useful websites to support learning

Overview:

German is the native language of over one hundred million European citizens and is sought after by many employers, both at home and abroad. Britain is Germany's largest trading partner. Learning German provides an excellent foundation for developing listening and communication skills and gives students a broad understanding of other cultures. As with all our modern languages, German lessons are lively, engaging and interactive. We are very proud of our results at GCSE.

KS4

Overview

Students are taught in a mixed ability group. We follow the Edexcel GCSE syllabus, a linear course examined at the end of Year 11. The department prepares students for these exams with regular exam practice and opportunities to develop key reading and listening skills.

Exam board and course

Edexcel

Curriculum Content

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 11

Die Gesundheit;

Die Arbeitswelt; Meine Umgebung

Die Umwelt;

Assessment components

Paper 1: Listening and understanding in German (unit code 5GN01)

Paper 2: Speaking in German

(unit code 5GN02)

What’s assessed

The examination consists of a number of passages or interactions in German with a variety of question types. The spoken material heard will include both formal and informal speech.

What’s assessed

Students must demonstrate the ability to use the German language for different purposes and in different settings, and will be assessed on two speaking activities chosen from the following task types: an open interaction (about media, completed in Year 10) and a picture-based, free-flowing discussion or a presentation with discussion about holidays (also Year 10) or health issues (Year 11).

Assessed

Foundation Tier: 25 mins + 5 mins reading time

Higher Tier: 35 mins + 5 mins reading time

Total number of marks is 40

20% of total GCSE, externally assessed

Assessed

Each activity must last between 4-6 minutes.

Total number of marks is 60

30% of total GCSE, internally assessed

Paper 3: Reading and understanding in German (unit code 5GN03)

Paper 4: Writing in German

(unit code 5GN04)

What’s assessed

The examination consists of a number of short texts, notices or news reports in German which includes a range of settings and styles, both formal and informal.

What’s assessed

The student must complete two separate writing tasks on any of the topics covered over the two year course. Students aiming for grade C or above will need to demonstrate extended writing skills and are expected to produce over 200 words in each task.